Exeter Chiefs have today signed 18-year-old fly-half Josh Matavesi on a two-year contract.

The Exeter Chiefs England Rugby Academy product featured on the bench for the club’s last home game of the season on Saturday but has made the step into full-time rugby by signing his first professional contract.

Matavesi was born in Truro after his father toured Cornwall with the Fijian Barbarians and decided to stay. The latter played rugby for Camborne and the club found him a job making him one of the county’s earliest overseas players.

Matavesi attended Camborne Science & Community College before joining Truro College and the Academy run by Chiefs’ temporary manager Robin Cowling. He was a part of the Daily Mail RSB Schools U18s Cup-winning side that beat St Peter’s High School last month.

He said today: “I am really happy to be joining Exeter Chiefs. I will have some good guys to work with in Danny Gray and Gareth Steenson, and I am hoping to achieve my dream of playing for England one day with the help of the rest of the players and the coaches at the club.”

Matavesi is a successful left-footed goal-kicker and helped steer Truro College to its recent cup final with his contribution to a penalty kick-out at the end of the semi-final against John Fisher School.

Chief’s coach Rob Baxter said: “Josh is a very skilful player who is just as happy at full-back and centre. He has already had a taste of life at Sandy Park during his two years with the Academy and appearances for our United team.

“Now it is time for Josh to concentrate full time on rugby and it will be vitally important for him to maximise this opportunity from day one and work hard on both his physical and skill development and his ability to control a pressure game of rugby. Josh is an exciting, young player, who has already attracted the interest from England U20s, and I believe he will make a great contribution to the club."